A/N: I'm mixing both film and book so I'm not exactly following any straight storylines.

Disclaimer: Not mine, I only own Arianna everything else is Tolkien trademark.

Summary: Even Hope needs a bit of hope as the Shadow of Mordor lengthens. Aragorn finds his hope in the birth of a child.

Aenil in Estel

Chapter 1

Rain was pouring down, blown of its course in its fall whenever the wind reared its head in heavy gusts. Thunder crackled high up in the skies. Both moon and stars were hidden behind the tick dark clouds, leaving the world in an impenetrable veil of darkness. And still the guards of the small camp stood to defy such weather. The light from the dying embers inside the makeshift tents was barely distinguishable through the sheets of rain.

But in one tent the fire was not dying yet, still being fed fresh wood every so often. Beside the fire a woman lay panting, a scream of pain erupting from her lips every once in a while. Outside a cloaked figure was pacing, wincing whenever a scream reached his ears.

At the edge of the camp one of the guards was relieved of his duty. With a quick nod and thank you he walked off in the direction of the centre of the camp to find the tent offering shelter to his family. He passed the tent with the roaring fire and stopped besides the figure standing outside, both winching at the scream coming from inside.

'One acquires a new respect for women whenever a child enters the world,' he told the waiting figure. 'Have faith, it shall not be long now.'

'Hannon le, Halbarad,' the cloaked figure sighed. 'I just wish for her it was over.'

'As would any husband,' Halbarad agreed. 'But you will find they do not mind the pain, for the joy it brings makes it worth the effort.' Another scream broke through the raging storm. 'Have faith, she is strong,' Halbarad encouraged, before continuing the search for his tent. Mere moments later another scream found its way to his ears, but now it was joined by the wailings of a newborn child and he smiled. 'Mae gula, penneth,' he whispered into the storm.

Over by the still light tent, the figure outside had stopped his pacing and was now waiting impatiently. A few minutes later the flap in the canvass of the tent, functioning as entrance, was pulled aside and he was beaconed to come in. He immediately threw off his cloak and turned his back to the fire to warm himself, while he looked at his wife. She looked exhausted, but had a smile on her lips.

The midwife walked over to him and handed him a small, moving bundle wrapped in a blanket. He carefully balanced the bundle on one arm and used his free hand to pull the blanket away a little so he could see the tiny face. A small hand wrapped around one of his fingers and he looked up with a smile.

'It's…' the midwife hesitated. 'It's a girl, my lord.'

'Is there something wrong with that?' He asked, looking back down at his daughter.

'The people were hoping for an heir…' the reply came softly.

'And instead I've been blessed with a daughter,' he answered, holding the little girl a bit tighter. 'Men are nothing if not for the women who take up the care for them and their children. When we return from patrol, it is not us who cook the food, feed the fires and when possible, draw the baths. No, a girl is just as welcome to this world and our people as an heir would have been.'

The fierce defence of his child left the midwife at a loss for words. She just bowed and left the small family in their joy. He turned to his wife again and smiled. She presented him with a tired smile in answer and he carefully lowered himself to sit next to her without disturbing the child in his arms. 'She's beautiful,' he told his wife once he sat and placed a kiss on her head.

'But a son would have been more desirable,' she replied. 'I'm happy with her, but the times are dark and ever growing darker. Without an heir there is no security for the future. Even if she would be accepted as your heir, it would only be in Arnor. Gondor will not crown her or any son born in her line. Bless the Valar if they grand us a son next time.'

He looked at her sadly, overcome by a flash of foresight as he answered. 'No son will come to me while Mordor casts it shadow over Arda and the rule of Gondor is that of the Steward. If I am to die by sword or arrow and the Shadow is overcome, Arnor will prosper under her rule, but Gondor will fall to ruin. And thus in that foresight I will name her Arianna, twice crowned and well loved.'

'Fight for what is rightfully yours and overthrow the Shadow,' his wife urged. 'Fight for your land, your people, your heir.'

'At time will come when Men gather in strength against Mordor, but that time is still far off,' he answered. 'Aerin, the future is unclear and I've seen many of the things that may come to pass, all in contradiction to the other. Yet the face of a dream keeps returning.'

'The Elleth you saw in Rivendell so many years ago when you were singing the Lay of Luthien,' Aerin stated, not even having to see the answering nod to know she had guessed right. 'Whatever may come to pass will come to pass. It is not in our hands to change the future if not a second option is given. But for now, hand me our daughter so I can nurse her.'

Aragorn laughed and handed over his daughter. 'I may tarry to enjoy her for a week, but no longer, the creature Gollum has to be found.'

'Return ere a year has ended, you cannot miss her first birthday,' Aerin pressed.

'Not even the dungeons of Barad-dûr will keep me from missing it,' he promised. 'But now let us be silent of my leave and enjoy the week I have with you and Arianna.'

A/N: Hope you liked it. Please review.